How Bixby, Oklahoma Finally Got a Hotel of Its Own
For years, Bixby had plenty of reasons for people to visit—but visitors looking for a hotel had to stay outside the city. That is finally changing.
Bixby Was Growing. Something Was Missing.
As Bixby grew into one of the Tulsa area’s most active communities, the need for lodging inside the city became increasingly apparent.
The result is the development of an 80-room Tru by Hilton as part of the larger Spartan Square project.
Bixby, Oklahoma has changed dramatically over the past several years. New neighborhoods, businesses, restaurants, sports facilities, entertainment and downtown development have made the community an increasingly important part of the Tulsa metropolitan area.
But there was one noticeable gap: Bixby did not have a hotel inside the city.
There were plenty of hotels around Bixby, but visitors coming to town for sporting events, business, family gatherings or community events often had to leave Bixby to find a place to stay.
“If Bixby was becoming a destination, shouldn’t visitors be able to stay in Bixby?”
How the Hotel Project Came Together
The hotel was part of a much larger vision for downtown Bixby.
Downtown Vision Takes Shape
City planning documents described the Spartan Plaza concept as a potential mixed-use development that could include hospitality, entertainment, sporting amenities, restaurants and other attractions.
The Hotel Development Is Announced
A $20 million downtown Bixby development was announced involving Red Dog Construction and Patel Leisure Hospitality Management.
Tru by Hilton Bixby
Leisure Hospitality Management’s current development portfolio identifies the project as an 80-room Tru by Hilton Bixby, Oklahoma.
Mayor Brian Guthrie and a Changing Bixby
Brian Guthrie served as mayor during an important period of growth and development for Bixby.
Where is Mayor Guthrie now?
Brian Guthrie now serves in the Oklahoma Senate, continuing to represent the Bixby area.
During this period, Bixby was evolving beyond its traditional role as a residential community. Downtown development, recreation, entertainment, restaurants and other amenities were creating more reasons for people to visit the city.
Guthrie and the Bixby City Council participated in the city’s development and approval process surrounding the Spartan Square project.
Part of a Bigger Vision
The hotel was not planned as an isolated building. It was part of a broader effort to create a more active downtown and provide the infrastructure a growing community needed.
As Bixby attracted more visitors, the need for visitor accommodations became increasingly important.
More Than Just a Hotel
The hotel became part of a larger downtown development designed to bring additional activity to Bixby.
Hotel
The development includes an 80-room hotel designed to serve visitors coming to Bixby.
Conference Space
Conference and event space adds another visitor-oriented amenity to downtown Bixby.
Downtown Activity
The project fits into a larger effort to create a more active downtown district.
Why Having a Hotel in Bixby Matters
There is a big difference between staying near Bixby and actually staying in Bixby.
Sports
Families traveling to Bixby for tournaments and sporting events can stay closer to the fields and facilities where they are spending their time.
Business
Business travelers can stay closer to the companies, meetings and organizations that bring them to Bixby.
Events
Guests attending weddings, performances, community events and other activities can stay in Bixby instead of driving elsewhere.
A Hotel Brings More Than Hotel Guests
Hotel visitors also eat at local restaurants, shop at local businesses, attend events and use other services. That makes a hotel an important part of a community’s visitor economy.
Leisure Hospitality Management Comes to Bixby
Leisure Hospitality Management, commonly known as LHM, is a Tulsa-based hospitality company established in 1985.
The company develops, owns and operates hotels associated with major hospitality brands.
LHM’s current development portfolio identifies the Bixby project as an 80-room Tru by Hilton Bixby, Oklahoma.
View LHM Hotel Developments →Tru by Hilton Bixby, Oklahoma is part of LHM’s current hotel development portfolio.
From “Near Bixby” to “In Bixby”
Then
Visitors often stayed outside Bixby and drove into the city for sporting events, business and other activities.
Now
Bixby is developing lodging designed specifically for people visiting the community.
What’s Next
More visitors will have the opportunity to experience Bixby without leaving the city to find a place to stay.
Bixby Needed a Hotel. Now It Is Getting One.
The story of Bixby’s new hotel is bigger than 80 hotel rooms. It is part of the story of a growing Oklahoma community becoming a destination in its own right.
Hotels in Bixby → Explore Bixby →Historical development information is based on City of Bixby records, local reporting and information published by Leisure Hospitality Management.